Black-capped Chickadee    Poecile atricapillus

Conservation Status

General Status in Canada : Secure

COSEWIC Status : Not assessed

Black-capped Chickadees are resilient birds and will reside and breed in disturbed habitats. In the past, this has led many to believe that Black-capped Chickadees and other generalist species have benefited from forest clearing for agriculture and other forestry practices. However, recent studies are finding that disturbed habitats may be suboptimal and populations breeding in disturbed sites (e.g. logged) may have reduced breeding success. How this affects local populations in the long-run is unknown. Poor seed-crops and severe winter weather can also be detrimental to this species; however, bird feeders can locally reduce the risk of starvation during stressful times.

Overall, Breeding Bird Survey data shows Black-capped Chickadee populations increasing in North America since the mid-1960’s. Reasons for this increase are not clearly understood. However, as long as forest managers continue to consider and manage for appropriate nest sites for this species and other cavity-nesters (i.e. retention of trees of certain diameter and decay classes), as well as maintain areas of optimal breeding habitat, Black-capped Chickadee populations should remain secure.